Sea of Cortez Eco-Resort and Kayaking

5-DAY Trip Overview

This trip includes 5 days and 4 nights at our comfortable beachfront affiliated Eco-Resort on the Sea of Cortez, with an optional whale-watching excursion to Magdalena Bay on Day Four of the trip.

Your group will be hosted by our experienced naturalist guides, who all live in or have traveled extensively in Baja, and have intimate knowledge of the area's rich natural history. As skilled kayak instructors, they also provide training for those guests interested in developing their paddling skills. Whether you want to study the area's unique bird, fish, marine and plant life or work on your kayak roll, our guides will be at your service.

ITINERARY

Day One
Our friendly local transportation service will greet you at the airport and escort you to our affiliated eco-resort on the shores of the Sea of Cortez. At the resort, our guides will meet with your group for orientation and to answer any questions you may have. You'll then settle into your cozy beachside or ocean-view "casita" (thatched cottage) and into the serenity and peacefulness of this beautiful place.

Days Two - Four
Days at the resort are filled with kayaking, hiking, snorkeling and just plain relaxing. One afternoon may be spent taking an optional excursion to a natural seaside hot spring by panga. Delicious meals are prepared and served in the communal open-air dining room by local Mexican "home-style" cooks. The menus may include dairy, eggs, mainly organic produce, and sometimes a fresh "catch-of-the-day" brought to us by local fishermen. At each meal, there will be a vegetarian option. Evenings are spent around the fire circle, sharing stories and music, recounting events of the day, and preparing for the following day's activities.

On Day Four, you may choose to take a whale-watching excursion at Magdalena Bay, less than 2 hours away from the eco-resort on Baja's Pacific coast,. After breakfast, you'll be transported by van from the eco-resort through the desert toward Baja's picturesque Pacific coast and the fishing port of Lopez Matteos. From here, we will board the pangas (whale-watching boats) and enjoy several hours on the bay with the gray whales and their young. We'll return to the eco-resort in plenty of time for dinner. This option is available from late January through mid-March, while the whales are still in Baja.

Day Five
On your final day, our van transports you from the eco-resort to the airport in plenty of time for your flight. Return home refreshed and renewed, with many fond memories of new friends and relaxing, adventure-filled days on Baja's Sea of Cortez.

TRIP INFORMATION:

LODGING
Your tour includes double-occupancy accommodations for five nights at our seaside affiliate Eco-Resort. Single rooms may be available if space allows. If you'd like to extend your stay at the eco-resort, or spend some hotel nights in Loreto, please call us at 415-669-2600 and we will assist you with arrangements. For more about Loreto, visit www.mexperience.com.

ECO-RESORT FACILITIES
Some accommodations are nestled privately among the white sand dunes while others overlook the beach and a beautiful secluded bay about 20 miles south of Loreto. Each "casita" is separate from all other structures and very private, with either one double bed or two single beds. The resort has an open-air kitchen and dining area, and uses solar-powered lighting. Composting toilets and solar-heated showers are housed separately and quite user-friendly. Drinking water is freshly sourced from a mountain spring. An outdoor "kiva" provides an area for nightly fires and socializing, and a large enclosed yurt allows for indoor group activities such as yoga, music, dance, meditation and, if necessary, sleeping. Outdoor activities include kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, nature explorations, and an optional motorboat trip to soak in a natural seaside hot spring.

KAYAKING
Novices as well as experienced kayakers in reasonably good physical condition are welcome to participate in this Sea of Cortez nature vacation. Our professional guides offer the instruction you will need to feel comfortable and competent on the water. Blue Waters provides all necessary kayaking gear such as life jackets, paddles and spray skirts. Our double sea kayaks track well, are difficult to capsize, and easy to paddle. Single kayaks will also be available, and can be alternately shared among those with self-rescue training, or used to practice paddling and rescue techniques. If you're a novice, we encourage you to try kayaking before your trip to bolster your confidence. Please contact Blue Waters if you'd like to join us on any of our Tomales Bay tours or classes.

BAHIA MAGDALENA
On the Pacific Coast of the Baja Peninsula - approximately 800 miles south of the Mexico/California border - lies Bahia Magdalena, or Magdalena Bay. This magnificent bay is surrounded on one side by a series of barrier islands with pristine white sand dunes, and a shoreline on the other of dense mangrove estuaries. With channels that flow north and south, Bahia Magdalena is one of the world's primary calving and mating areas of the California Gray Whale.

CALIFORNIA GRAY WHALES
In October, the gray whales begin their annual 6,000-mile migration from Alaska to Baja, with the earliest arrivals showing up in Bahia Magdalena by December. Once there, the pregnant females begin to birth their calves. During their first few months of life, the small calves, which average 20 feet in length, are nursed by their mothers and taught to spy hop (raise their heads out of the water), fluke (raise their tails), and breach (leap clear out of the water). By mid-January, some of these very curious and outgoing calves are exercising their independence.

Visit www.acsonline.org or www.sclib.ucsd.edu for more information about the gray whales.

WEATHER
Baja's winter weather is typically pleasant and mild. In February through April, the days are usually warm, with highs in the mid-70s to mid-80s; nights are typically cooler, ranging from the mid-50s to mid-60s. At times, the winds may create challenging conditions for kayaking or whale watching. Our guides may provide alternative activities on days that are too windy, such as hiking, interpretive talks, or kayak-skills training.

MEALS
We take our dining very seriously! All meals are provided throughout your stay, except for your dinners while in Loreto. The menus are primarily "Mexican home-cooking" that may include meat, dairy, eggs, mainly organic vegetables, and sometimes a fresh "catch-of-the-day" brought to us by local fishermen. At each meal there will be a vegetarian option. Purified water is always available. Indicate on your confidential questionnaire if you have special dietary requests that we should integrate into our meal planning. Alcohol is not included on the tour, but we can procure it for you by request. Bring treats that you want to share with others or you'd rather not have to live without.

EQUIPMENT PROVIDED
Snorkeling gear will be available to rent for the full period of your stay at the Sea of Cortez. "Farmer John" wetsuits in a variety of sizes are available for kayaking at no charge.

WHAT TO BRING
Most importantly, bring your ability to work and play with others and a desire to make this trip a once-in-a-lifetime experience for everyone. We have enclosed a packing and equipment list to assist you in your preparations. Please be sure to bring everything on the list.

You may want to bring a small dry bag for personal belongings (such as binoculars, camera or sunscreen) that you may want easy access to while kayaking.

MONEY
It is not necessary to exchange currency, as the locals prefer to receive U.S. dollars. We recommend that you bring about $300-$400 in small denominations to pay for tips, dining out and smaller purchases in town. If you are driving, also bring enough dollars or pesos for gas, meals, showers and shopping. MasterCard and Visa are accepted at some hotels, shops and restaurants. The local banks will not advance you American dollars from your credit card and the ATMs only dispense Mexican currency, so come prepared with the cash you'll need for your return trip home.

TOUR COSTS
The cost of the five-day Eco-Resort tour is $995 per person, based on double occupancy (may be higher for special programs). With the optional whale-watching excursion to Magdalena Bay, the price is $1095.

If you are traveling alone and would like to share accommodations, please let us know and we will make every effort to match you with another tour participant. Please inquire about availability of single rooms at the eco-resort, as space is limited (tent camping is an option that would ensure this preference).

Includes:
All airport transfers and ground transportation within Mexico
All meals at the eco-resort
Use of kayaking equipment
Guide services
Eco-Resort fees and use of facilities

Does not include:
Air/bus/car travel between the U.S. and Loreto
Optional excursion to hot springs
Optional whale-watching excursion to Magdalena Bay
Optional rental of snorkeling gear
Single-occupancy accommodations
Additional fees that may apply to special programs
Private healing and massage sessions may be available at extra cost
Gratuities

GRATUITIES
Gratuities for your kayak guides are not included in the cost of the trip. Your guides do all they can to provide you with a wonderful vacation and are eager to serve you in every way. If you wish to acknowledge them for their exceptional service, your tips are welcome and appreciated. A suggested gratuity of 10% of the base tour cost is typically shared among all guides and chefs. An additional $2-5 per participant is suggested for each van transport and panga (whale-watching boat) trip..

RESERVATIONS AND PAYMENTS
To secure your reservation, Blue Waters requires a $350 non-refundable deposit, payable by check, money order, Visa or MasterCard. The balance is due at least 90 days prior to your tour, payable by check or money order, or using credit card by arrangement with our office.

CANCELLATIONS
Participants may cancel up to 90 days prior to the scheduled departure date. If you must cancel within 90 days of the tour, a credit or refund will be issued only if Blue Waters is able to replace you from our waiting list. Otherwise, no refunds or credits will be issued. We regret that no exceptions to this cancellation policy can be made, even for family or medical reasons. That is why we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance.

TRAVEL INSURANCE
We highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. This inexpensive insurance not only protects you if you injure yourself and are unable to go on the trip, but will also protect your vacation investment if any member of your family, or a relative remaining at home, becomes ill or injured. The insurance also covers emergency evacuation as stated, and covers your non-refundable air flight if you have to cancel at the last minute due to injury or illness. It also covers baggage loss, accidental medical and tour cancellation/interruption costs. If your arrival is delayed and you need special livery to join the group in progress, or you need to be evacuated, you are responsible for covering the expenses of water and land transportation, extra hotel nights, etc. Rapid emergency evacuation to U.S. medical facilities is extremely difficult and not guaranteed. We recommend travel insurance in case of such emergencies. This insurance operates on a reimbursement basis, so you must get receipts for submission to your insurance company. There are many insurers; enclosed you will find an application for one of them. Please read the details carefully, as you'll find variations in coverage from one carrier to the next.

CHANGE OF ITINERARY OR CANCELLED TRIPS
Blue Waters Kayaking reserves the right to change the itinerary due to hazardous weather, change in government regulations, and/or circumstances that render the trip unsafe or unsatisfactory to the welfare of the group. Blue Waters Kayaking reserves the right to cancel any trip prior to departure for any reason whatsoever, including insufficient registration or logistical and safety complications that may impede trip operations. A trip cancellation due to insufficient registration normally occurs no later than 3 weeks prior to departure, in which case your complete fee will be returned.

PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY
Trip participants have the responsibility to select a trip appropriate to their interests and abilities. We are happy to discuss the trip with you if you have any questions. You are responsible for being in sufficient good health and for bringing appropriate clothing and equipment, so read all the pre-trip information carefully. Please complete and return the enclosed liability release form, reservation checklist and confidential questionnaire with your final payment no later than 90 days prior to your departure date.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY
A liability release form must be signed by each participant prior to the trip, both in the U.S. and in Mexico. No participant will be permitted on our trips without signing release forms, and we cannot issue a refund if a release form has not been signed.

THEFT/ACCIDENTS
Blue Waters Kayaking is not responsible for loss of personal items or injury. There is always a risk of theft or injury wherever you are. Even though present statistics show Baja to be safer than California, it is wise to be cautious. When we leave our campsite unattended for several hours, bring along your most valuable items.

MEDICAL AND HEALTH
Although this tour is not rigorous, it can be physically challenging, and access to medical facilities may not be immediately available. Blue Waters carries a well-supplied first-aid kit and our guides have Wilderness First Responder and C.P.R. training to handle emergencies. However, Blue Waters Kayaking is not responsible for medications, inoculations or the provision of health care. Please bring from home any first-aid items you know you will need, as well as your personal supply of medications.

If you do have medical problems or disabilities, it is important that you call our office well before your departure and make them known to us. You and your private physician should decide what is necessary for your safe participation on this trip.

EMERGENCY CONTACT
It is difficult and expensive to contact participants during the kayak tour, so please ask friends and family to do so in case of extreme emergency only. Participants are responsible for all costs incurred in the delivery of an emergency message. Please call the Blue Waters office @ 415-669-2600 in case of emergency or if you should miss your flight into Loreto.